Bausch & Lomb Compound Monocular Microscope

The unusual base of this microscope was patented in 1866 by E. H. Griffith, and the microscope was produced by Bausch & Lomb that same year. Adorned in brass with nickel trim, this was one of the nicest microscopes made during this period. The model featured below was redrawn from photographs of the original microscope, which is part of the Billings microscope collection at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington DC.

A circular base, which may also be used as a turntable, rests with the assistance of three supports that have a spherical termination. A tapered pillar supports the Jackson-style limb and arm with a cradle joint having a fine micrometer adjustment. The double mirror is attached with a dovetail slide to the tailpiece, which also supports the substage Abbe condenser, filter holder, and circular stage with a black glass top. There is a one-inch aperture in the stage. The body tube is focused through a rack and pinion, and has a graduated drawtube and cone nose.